are also due to a number of ARL library directors and other professional colleagues who have reviewed the list.2 Principle 1: Distinct collections demand extra vigilance in digitization. When digitizing distinct collections, special attention should be paid to the nature of the material being digitized. No blanket digitization standard should be applied to all materials. Instead the inherent characteristics of the items should determine the level of care. Rare, unique, or fragile items should be digitized according to the highest professional standards in terms of handling, security, and scan quality. This may often require on-site conversion with specialized equipment. Digitization should be conducted in a way such that it is not necessary to revisit the process in the future as repeated digitization may lessen the artifactual value of originals.3 Material that is more common or does not contain significant artifactual integrity can be digitized in a fashion that fosters widespread access to the most amount of material. Principle 2: Libraries must respect any donor-imposed restrictions on the digitization and use of materials. Special collections material is often acquired from donors with express limitations on its use, even when that material is ostensibly in the public domain. In negotiating with commercial vendors, libraries must ensure that the terms of any applicable donor agreement are respected. In negotiating with donors, librarians and archivists should educate them about the desirability of making materials accessible online. Principle 3: Libraries should seek the broadest possible user access to digitized content. This includes patrons of other libraries and unaffiliated researchers. For over a century, libraries have participated in successful resource-sharing cooperatives that have made content widely accessible. The same spirit should govern commercial digitization activities. Libraries should resist arrangements that result in onerous subscription charges for access to resources digitized from their collections. In the best of all possible worlds, there would be some level of free access to all content, with only special value-added services restricted to a subscription model. RLI 267 22 The Collaborative Imperative: Special Collections in the Digital Age ( C O N T I N U E D ) DECEMBER 2009 RESEARCH LIBRARY ISSUES: A BIMONTHLY REPORT FROM ARL, CNI, AND SPARC